New here, just got an a4

[Fred1diver]

Hello everyone, I’m Fred and I just acquired a 1972 Pearson 30 with the original atomic 4, it’s my first boat with an inboard, so that leaves me with a lot of questions, I need to do some work before the insurance company will accept me.

If anyone else has a P30 let me know, as I need some info for the gas tank, I need to add a ground wire and an anti-siphon valve, I’m not sure where the outlet hose connects to the tank, is it on top or bottom of the tank???
Not a lot of room to work there lol

[Dave Neptune]

Welcome. The tank would be no different for a Palmer or an A-4. Most all tank connections are from the top only fastening flanges any where else. The Palmer is an excellent engine as is the A-4, both are simple and function basically the same.

Dave Neptune

[Fred1diver]

Hey Dave, I’m not sure if I follow, what is this about a palmer?

[ndutton]

Referring to your boat as a P30 invites confusion with the small Palmer sailboat engine, also a P30 which is coincidentally very similar to the Atomic 4. Thank goodness your Pearson doesn't have a Palmer engine, a P30 in your P30.

[Dave Neptune]

Fred, sorry for the confusion. I thought you were stating you bought a person with an A-4 and were asking about a Palmer in another boat with a tank issue.

The Palmer is a similar 4 cylinder flathead that was also popular. They stopped production just as Universal did however the Palmer does not have a "MMI" to support cast parts. Many are still running as they had good care. The Palmer is just hard to find parts for now!

Dave Neptune

[Al Schober]

Welcome to the group! We're here to help.
USCG requires that the outlet of the gas tank be on the top. Inside the tank, there's a pickup tube that goes within an inch or so of the bottom. A bottom connection could leak gas, while a top connection will just leak air. USCG is big on safety so follow their guidance.
Boats of that vintage may have had a copper tube for the fuel line. Most of them have been changed over to rubber hose, fuel rated of course.
Did a licensed surveyor do your punch list? If so, I recommend that you follow it.

[Antibes]

The anti siphon valve is usually placed in the fuel line after it leaves the tank. Attached is an example of the part you need. You will need to make sure on hose size

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--1-4-barbed-anti-siphon-valve--19682467?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3IqSBhCoARIsAMBkTb3ihA0w0SIHGkSFEAnQgnm1bPYtEWNpoFYvpe8FamG4RE700DtqnRwaAnCMEALw_wcB

Pictures would help for how to ground your tank.

[Fred1diver]

Thanks everybody for all the info, I already bought the part, I will need to go back to the boat to inspect the gas tank for the ground.
Yes the survey was done by a pro, I do intend to cover all the bases.

Can’t wait to splash her

[Al Schober]

I had a Tartan 30 and raced against Pearson 30s. The P30s that gave me fits had two things: First was a mainsail with two full length battens. This gave them a bit more roach up top. I eventually changed to a similar mainsail.
Second was a different rudder - a balanced vertical spade. The local owners were getting them from Evelyn Yachts. Other current manufacturers may have rudders to consider.
Of course if you're not racing...

[TimBSmith]

Welcome. 1974 Pearson 30 owner here.

I have owned "Oasis" hull number 572 for 2 years now, first season on the water last year. You are in the right place for growing your A4 expertise. Really one of the most helpful communities I have been part of on or off the net. That goes for our host as well. I cannot over emphasize the value of using the search function and saving your searches, rating a thread.

I recently did a complete salvage and breakdown of a 1976 Pearson 30 "Merry Rascal". Here are a couple of albums if you are interested.

Cutdown and Salvage

https://photos.app.goo.gl/iXuYKihBLMoJ2GsR9

Remaining Small Bits Available

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Xzs41qCzFT3sDeHb6

Some of the Big Bits Available

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZMVsXm3c4bZ4rik66

Regarding your gas tank.
Oasis had been on stands for 3 years when I found her. She had no useful engine documentation at time of purchase. Amazingly, I found the prior, prior, prior owner's posts on this forum and was able to make a complete inventory of his improvements and the engines history. He posted under SMosher.

One of my first projects was end-to-end fuel system evaluation. This crew drilled into my thick skull: systematic evaluation of any system on the engine. For start-up: compression, spark, and fuel. My late model had a fuel system problem. I evaluated the tank. Affirmed safety, reliability, and quality of fuel delivery. Ultimately rebuilt the carb, found and solved the culprit for poor fuel flow to engine.

Fortunatly SMosher had replumbed the fuel lines and installed electronic pump and pressure guage. I began to pick up that many of the improvements I can make to my engine have diagnostic value. One evaluation I will urge upon you, unwrap your exhaust riser and inspect the mixing elbow and the riser assembly from manifold flange to water lift muffler, so often crumbling at elbow and neglected. Easily missed by surveyor.

I will post further at another time. Please let me know how I can be supportive of your P30 journey. I also encourage you to join the Pearson facebook and google (pearson-boats@googlegroups.com) groups. Again, welcome and fair winds.

[Fred1diver]

Hey Tim, do you still have those parts for sale?
The self tailing winches interest me, depending on the price.
Do you have the handrails, both inside and outside?

[TimBSmith]

Hi Fred. I will take further discussion of parts offline.

Winches and rails gone. For further info. Please feel free to email me at timbsmith1@yahoo.com for information on parts available. Thank you.

[Fred1diver]

Hello again everyone, getting ready for summer, I will need to do an oil change, what oil filter do I need?
I would like to change the impeller to ensure a good season, how do I know what impeller I need?

What else do I need to know before I get her in the water?

[Dave Neptune]

There is no "stock" oil filter on the A-4, only ones as an add on and the existing filter should have a number on it. The impeller also depends on the pump you have. A pic of the pump should do and there should be a name and model # on the pump.

Dave Neptune

[TimBSmith]

No one has said it yet(or I missed it) buy this manual from Moyer...

https://moyermarine.com/product/service-and-overhaul-manual/

I replaced the impeller using Moyer product. Use the service manual or careful instructions here, because pulling it and replacing it may put other components at risk if you are not careful. A great time to look for scaling where the pump mounts and evaluate any signs of leaks around pump.

I run the engine for at least 15 minutes then use a "Topsider Oil Changer — Model# 5060TS" to suction the warm oil out. I found this method by searching this site. You will see that our engine likes clean fuel and fresh oil. I learned that the oil does a lot of work beyond engine lubrication, it also lubricates our direct drive transmission.

Search the archives here. There is a ton of information and checklists for Spring Launch. Also for oil grades. I am changing oil this season based on prior research. It seems like the Rotella 15W40 was good for my engine in the past, so now that I discovered this info I am going to test it out this spring.

Best developing your spring checklist.